Point Lao Tzu example essay topic

Lao Tzu "Tao Te Ching" Discussion Questions 1. What is the most valuable way to live? Discuss the two examples of this idea. The most valuable way to live is to live passively. An example of this idea includes being able to ride roughshod over the hardest in the world means one can lasts longer in this competitive world by being passive.

And only a few in the world means that not too many realize the way of life is to live passively. 2. Discuss the first three questions in this poem. What is "that' in line 7?

The first three questions in this poem asks the reader to reflect. That in line 7 can mean the word because. That can also represent the many complexities in life due to value. 3. What is contentment according to this poet? Of what value is this state of mind?

According to this poet contentment comes but not holding grudge because it states that excessive meanness is sure to lead to great expense. It tells one to let go because being angry and having things bottled up can only hurt oneself. 4. "Highest good" or "the way" indicates a state of perfection in life. What does this poem recommend as a way to approach life? The poem recommends one to approach life like water because water is an indispensable element that has no conflict in any positions.

It is able to adapt and go in area and position that is ideal. 5. What is the author's point about materialism and excesses? What is his recommendation to the reader about the way to live? One of the author's point about materialism and excesses is not to be greedy. There is no point to be greedy because one can loses as much as it makes and no one can use possess of its wealth after death.

The key is to have just enough because wealth can create problem. His recommendation to life is do what you have to do. 6. What paradox is presented in this poem? The paradox presented in tis poem is that a seemingly weak object water can be as strong as anything. The weak can overcomes the strong and the submissive can overcomes the hard.

7. Which personal qualities are valuable in rulers, according to the poet? According to the poet valuable qualities in rulers should be the ability to admit and held responsible for the wrongs done in its empire. The one who can blame himself other than blaming others when things go wrong. That means one that would first find fault within himself rather than focusing on the fault of others. 8.

Who is the "good" man? A good mean is a man who forgive and forget. He is one who can look pass the past and move on without forever waiting to seek justification for every wrong done to him in the past. 9. What is the answer to the question presented in the poem? It is perfect when peace is made between great enemies some enmity is bound to remain un dispelled because it creates a test.

The one that would never forgive and forget is the bad man, thus it is a test in distinguishing a good man versus a bad one. 10. Explain the paradoxes in the first sentence. The paradox in the first sentence is that nothing is ever what it is. In a society where we categorize things nothing is what it seems, there are always two side. The beautiful can actually be the ugly and the good can actually be the bad.

Nothing is what it seems. 11. What point is Lao Tzu making about opposites? The point Lao Tzu is trying to make about opposites are inter-related. Everything is not really opposites it is simply a cycle.

Without one the other cannot be opposites. Opposites merely is what distinguishes the difference. 12. How does Lao Tzu demonstrate that simple existence is enough to demonstrate merit or value? Lao Tzu demonstrate that simple existence is enough to demonstrate merit or value because everything happens in a cycle and is related to cause and effect.

There is no need for justification because there is always a balance. Even a man with the most money in a world is lonely. Thus nothing is unfair. In short merit and value, the big picture, is tangible enough for everyone to see. 13. How does Lao Tzu recommend the public keep itself from envy and greed?

Lao Tzu recommend people not to honor other people even if one believes are honourable, not to value goods that is scarce, and not to flash goods that others don't have. Treat everything with a normal state of mind and don't be ostentatious. 14. Lao Tzu's recommendation for government is going to sound quite foreign to you. When he talks about knowledge, he is talking about the knowledge of desire. In other words, if all a man's subjects are contented and free of desire, perfect harmony and balance will be achieved, and order will prevail.

What does he recommend a man do to lead a good life? Lao Tzu recommend a man that in order to lead a good life he must concentrate on what really matters like survival. He should not strive to satisfy his want but his need. He must not boast but learn how to be modest and be like everyone else. Most of all he must try not to stand out from the crowd.

15. Make a list of the directions Lao recommends that men follow in order to live a "good" life. What is a "good" life. 1. A man must not stand out from the crowd.

2. A must must not be greedy. 3. A man must learn to act like water. 4. A man must concentrate on himself rather than other.

5. A man must not hold grudges and the right and wrong too much. 6. A man must not seek revenge because revenge would find itself. 7. A man must live passively.